Mary C. Henry

Mary Catherene DeJournette Henry-Smith, affectionately known as “Bobbi,” was born on October 25, 1942, to the late Mary Marie Knox and the late Charles DeJournette in Princess Anne County, (Virginia Beach) VA. She was called from labor to reward on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Virginia Beach General Hospital.

Bobbi’s education began at a two-story small schoolhouse on Potter’s Road next to St. Mark AME church which moved to Seatack Elementary School. Bobbi graduated in 1961 from Princess Anne County Training School (PACTS) where she participated in many groups and activities including cheerleading and the girls’ basketball team. She furthered her studies in Early Childhood Education at Norfolk State University. Bobbi started teaching at Pembroke Elementary and decided to advance her education. She pursued a master’s degree in counseling at Hampton University. She loved helping students plan their future and became a guidance counselor at Lynnhaven Middle School, Cox High School, and Bayside High School. She retired in 2003 after 36 years with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Bobbi was a member of The Last Walk Committee.

This committee was formed so that alumni, educators, staff, and the public could walk down the halls of its alma mater, Princess Anne County Training School – Union Kempsville High School, one last time before it was demolished. To commemorate Princess Anne County Training School – Union Kempsville High School (PACTS-UKHS), the PACTS-UKHS museum was constructed. Bobbi was one of the alumni, along with the educators, on the museum committee that worked with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and the City of Virginia Beach on the research and design for the PACTS-UKHS museum. PACTS-UKHS was the only high school that African American youth could attend in Princess Anne County, now Virginia Beach, Virginia before the desegregation of the schools. Bobbi was a faithful supporter and dedicated leader in the PACTS-UKHS Alumni and Friends Association, Inc. She served on the PACTS-UKHS Board of Directors. She was the Chairperson of the PACTS-UKHS AFA Membership Committee and the Inaugural Scholarship Golf Tournament Committee. Also, she was a member of the annual Christmas Frolic committee and the PACTS-UKHS picnic committee. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Mark AME church and after retirement, she became more active where she served as a Stewardess and in the Daughters of St. Mark Auxiliary participating annually in their “Women In Red” Program. Bobbi’s favorite thing to do was host birthday parties and cookouts at her home around the pool. She frequently traveled to tropical places to swim, scuba dive, snorkel, and taste the various cuisines in other countries. She often traveled with family and friends around the country, visiting California, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Florida. She married late in life to her former classmate, Isaac B. Smith Sr., whom she loved dearly even after his passing in 2017.

Mary was predeceased by two brothers, James C. "Muke" Henry and Charles L. DeJournette, and one sister, Bessie Lee "Renee" DeJournette.

She leaves to cherish her memories three sisters, Gail DeJournette, Lynette Cooper-Swinton (Harry) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Vecka Lane of Atlanta, GA; two brothers, Simuel and Johnnie Philpot of Virginia Beach, VA; one aunt, Carrie Lee Knox-Butts of Virginia Beach, VA; two loving cousins, John Henry and Vanessa Joyner, and a host of nieces, great nieces, great-great nieces, nephews, great nephews, great-great nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.